Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Genre: Christian, HistoricalPublisher: BarbourPublication date: June 1, 2017Number of pages: 448
​Dime Novel Suitor by Carrie Fancett Pagels
When a British dime novel enthusiast finds himself flat broke in Kansas, he discovers what western life and true love are all about. Barden Granville IV grew up at Cheatham Hall, Kent, England, devouring cowboy stories and dreaming of the day he, with no prospects of inheriting estate nor title, could escape to the American frontier. Educated and ordained an Anglican priest, his trip to America is his “last hurrah” before accepting a vicarage in a small town far from his aristocratic family’s estate. When a series of misadventures leaves him without money and stranded, he must take up employment immediately.

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After her father dies, widow Caroline Kane becomes the owner and proprietor of a restaurant and inn. She also assumes responsibility for her five teenaged siblings. Caroline’s busybody married sister insists that an Englishman who purports to answer an ad for help, is the perfect candidate for Caroline’s next husband. While she’s relieved to have help, Caroline finds Barden’s primary asset to be his silver tongue. When his efforts finally bring fruit, Barden receives word from England that could leave Caroline worse off than before, for her heart will leave with him. Will Barden answer his heart and God’s call in Kansas, or will his family responsibilities compel him to leave his dreams behind?

Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is an ECPA bestselling and award-winning author. With a dozen Christian historical romances published, this former “Yooper” writes Christian historical romances about overcoming. She grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where many of her stories are set. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn’t “cured” by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, which is perfect for her fascination with history. Carrie enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and beading-but not all at the same time!
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Her short story, The Quilting Contest, was Historical Fiction Winner of Family Fiction’s “The Story” national contest. Her novella, The Substitute Bride was a 2016 Maggie Award published finalist for Romance Novellas. Grand Exposé was a 2014 Maggie Award honorable mention for a novel set on Mackinac Island (now entitled My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring, Barbour, July 2017). All three of her Christy Lumber Camp books were long list finalists for Family Fiction’s Book of the Year and The Fruitcake Challenge was a Selah Award finalist. Her novel, Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter (White Rose/Pelican, June, 2016) received a Starred Review by RT Book Reviews.

My hero, Barden Granville IV, has been raised at Cheatham Hall, in England. His manservant kept young Barden supplied with “dime novels,” many of which were accounts of cowboys and Indians. Imagine living on a vast estate in England, and being a young boy with a wild imagination. And imagine you knew you had few options available to you as the third son of an aristocrat. Barden wasn’t going to inherit unless his two older brothers died without heirs. He wasn’t about to go into the military as his next oldest brother was pursuing and excelling in that realm. And so, with a strong faith, Barden decides to become a vicar.

But what do you do when you have a strong imagination that demands fulfillment? Barden fights that desire to run off to America, feeling his family obligations. But, inspired by those stories, he longs to enjoy the adventure of the American West. So he has completed his seminary studies and now is about to accept a country church parish as their new vicar. With that summer gap, he’s finally going to quench that curiosity and go to America. Except his parents can’t know what he’s up to because they’d never approve.

What do you do, though, when you have never ever been able to please your demanding perfectionistic father, though? Well, you have to admit it makes it easier to run off, doesn’t it? So, inspired by what he’s read in those dime novels, Barden has gone to America and finds himself, in his first scene in the book, right smack dab in the middle of some bonafide western men, in a saloon, playing cards. You see, he’s really out of his element, isn’t he? He’s read about this kind of situation but it was FICTION! Wooeee, sometimes reality doesn’t quite match up with what we have read, does it?

Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands collection is set in Kansas, right after the Civil War. The west, at that time, was a place in huge flux.

Question: Have you ever read a story, then visited the setting, but it was years later? And found it didn’t quite match up?

Maris Forrester’s exciting new life is not everything she was hoping it would be. Although she’s happy in her new career, she’s plagued with the feeling that something is still missing. Imagine her surprise when an old friend presents her with an unbelievable opportunity that could change everything. This new career sounds almost too good to be true, including the upcoming trip to London. She quickly learns that even the most perfect scenarios have their drawbacks, and when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is . . .

In addition to making a life-changing career choice, Maris realizes she has other decisions to make—whom to love and where to find happiness. What if neither is what she thought they should be?

Excerpt

I can’t even look at Trevor. I don’t deny that I have feelings for him, but the stubborn girl inside me doesn’t want to admit it.

“Maris?” Trevor calls, giving me a strange look. “You okay?”

I nod my head absently. “Yes. My mind was just wandering.” I glance at Beatrice who winks at me. I squeeze her hand before practically sprinting out of the room.

I try not to create a scene as I rush down the hall toward the elevator, still holding in my tears. I pound on the button as if my life depended on it. The doors finally open and I jump inside. Before the door closes, Trevor rushes in.

Author Melissa Baldwin

Melissa Baldwin is an avid runner, planner obsessed, and has always had a love for writing. She is a wife, mother, and avid journal keeper who took her creativity to the next level by fulfilling her dream with her debut novel, An Event to Remember...or Forget. Melissa writes about charming, ambitious, and real women and is now a published author of seven Romantic Comedy novels and novellas.

When she isn't deep in the writing zone, this multi-tasking master organizer is busy spending time with her family, chauffeuring her daughter, traveling, running, indulging in fitness, and taking a Disney Cruise every now and then.

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

We are taking 10% of the proceeds from the Slippery Rock series to provide Sweet Cases from TogetherWeRise to foster children in our area. In 'Famous', Savannah was a foster child who was adopted at the age of 7 by the Walters family; she was dirty, had ill-fitting clothes and nothing else. The trauma in her early life causes her to act out, even into her adult years...right up until the moment she decides to come home. The trauma she faced in the book is so similar to the trauma that foster children face every day, all over the United States.

Home is where the heart is. I’ve seen about a million samplers, pillows, cross-stitch pieces, coffee mugs, mousepads…you name it, I’ve probably seen that phrase on it. I’ve always loved that phrase, but not because it brings up memories of the house where I grew up.

Because it brings up memories of my best friend and I cruising around our small town on Friday nights, just looking for something to do.

Before she could talk herself out of it, Savannah marched back into the barn and knocked on the door. No answer. Just like a man to not be around when a woman wanted him to see how not-hung-up-on-him she was.

Probably for the best, anyway. Chances were she’d say something she would regret later. Or find it impossible to not kiss him again.

The thing is, I don’t think there is anything wrong with enjoying a little taste of the glamorous life – I mean, when do we as normal people have the chance to wear designer gowns or vacation in a private villa on a private island? That’s what these magazines bring to the table, along with a juicy scandal – because, let’s face it, knowing that Bob in Accounting bites his nails isn’t that big a secret. . .but knowing that our favorite celebrity does the same thing? It makes them a little more human. A little more like us – warts and all!

“And watching apple trees grow is hard work?” Savannah knew there was more to Collin’s family orchard than watching trees grow, but she couldn’t just stand there while he insulted her car. She might know it was decrepit, but allowing someone to disparage it just felt wrong. They’d been down a lot of roads together.

"If you love a good small town romance, then this one’s for you. Even though there are some adult situations in the book, I would recommend reading it with a box of tissues. You won’t be disappointed."

(From Collin’s POV) Dating a country singer is work, guys. Not as hard as, say, picking an orchard full of apples on a 90-degree day, but work all the same. These women are self-centered, high maintenance. . . and worth every second. So, if you’ve got the chance to date a Nashville beauty? Take it – but keep in mind, the road is going to be bumpy.

She tilted her head to the left and widened her eyes a little, but he knew she wasn’t confused. “Why not?”

Because the last thing he wanted to do with Savannah Walters was dance. An image of their bodies moving in time to some beat he couldn’t place formed in his mind. Okay, maybe it wasn’t the last thing he wanted.

(from Savannah’s POV) I’m not sure when y’all last did something. . .well, bad. The last time I did – last week. And we won’t go into the gory details (you’ll read all about them in my book, anyway). I’ll just say this: scandal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Scandal hurts, not just me, but it could hurt my family. It could even hurt a person I don’t like all that much (my former tour-mate, Genevieve). How do I deal?

Savannah chuckled. “Sounds like some of the stuff you guys did back in high school.” Pranks and raids she’d never been invited into, not that she was bitter. Even if Levi had asked, she would never have gone.

Savannah Walters can’t remember a time when she didn’t love Collin Tyler – of course, she doesn’t think of it as love in the beginning. She first ‘met’ Collin when her brother, Levi, brought Collin home after school. She was nine years old, and had been living with the Walters family for two years. To that point, Levi had been ‘hers’ – her friend, her confidant (although she didn’t share any of her past with him), her brother. Once Collin came to Walters Ranch, though, Levi was no longer Savannah’s.

"A sweet story of finding a sense of belonging even when life doesn’t go the way you want. The characters are enjoyable and carry the story to a happy fruition. A little slow in places, but overall a deep and meaningful read!"

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Famous in a Small Town

(Slippery Rock #1)

Kristina Knight

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 306 pages

May 1st 2017 by Harlequin Superromance

Lifestyles of the small-town famous

Forced to leave Nashville after a scandal, Savannah Walters has come home to Slippery Rock, Missouri, with a bruised ego and her singing career in jeopardy. As if that isn't humiliating enough, on her way into town she's rescued by her swoon-worthy childhood crush, Collin Tyler.

His hands are full running the family orchard and dealing with his delinquent teen sister, so Collin doesn't need to get involved with someone as fiery and unpredictable as Savannah. But the intense attraction between them can't be denied. And when disaster strikes, they'll both be surprised by who's still standing when the dust settles.

Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police--no, she wasn't a troublemaker, she was a journalist. Her career took her all over the United States, writing about everything from a serial killer's capture to the National Finals Rodeo. Along the way, she found her very own Knight in Shining Cowboy Boots and an abiding love for romance novels. And just like the characters from her favorite books, she's living her own happily ever after.

Kristina writes sassy contemporary romance novels; her books have appeared on Kindle Best Seller Lists. She loves hearing from readers, so drop her a line!

The Fireman’s Son is a story particularly close to my heart. I can tell you from firsthand knowledge that women suffer as Faye did more often than you’d ever expect. I can also say, unequivocally, that with love, kindness, and the right man, women like Faye do find pure joy again. Abuse is horrible. But that doesn’t mean the other side of abuse has to be. The world is filled with survivors. Women who know and value their strengths. Who reach out to other women who’ve been where they’ve been and are struggling to get where they are. Women who care.

Please, come on in to The Lemonade Stand. Join us. As a collective group, we’re going to make the world a beautiful, safe place. One heart at a time.

REESE BRISTOW WOULD not normally race to the scene of a small fire on the beach in the middle of the night. He was the newly appointed Santa Raquel Fire Chief. One truck of junior firefighters could handle the call half asleep.

Still, there he was, in jeans and a T-shirt, racing up the beach behind men in full gear carrying hoses he hoped they wouldn’t need to use.

In The Fireman’s Son, one particular part came from a very particular place. Faye Walker is a paramedic. I’ve never been a paramedic. I couldn’t just become one. So I married one. Ha, ha, not really. I mean, I really did marry one, but not to write Faye’s story.

"Emotionally raw and gut wrenching! You feel sorry for the child for what he’s been through, and as secrets and questions unravel, you find yourself feeling so sad that such little things caused such a monumental life change for all of them. Really connectible characters who we hope can find the peace they all need."

Love is the most powerful force. I’ve always known this. I believe it still. Love will be the final victor – no matter what. It’s the best part of us. The deepest and strongest part of us. If we could all just let love work its magic, trust that which we can’t see, and be able to mute the world’s interferences and cerebral messages, mute the greed and jealousy and insecurities, love would deliver us to the happiness we all crave.

"This story was far by more the most intriguing story I have read, it deals with so much of what is going on in our society then normaly does in a book.Reese Bristow is in a conundrum now, the woman who broke his heart in college is now back and is his new EMT. There are more surprises in the book that, leave you speculating how this will unfold..."

Faye and Reese have to stay in shape to do their jobs. They have to pass physical fitness tests. And when they’re at the station, on call, they can’t get what they need by skating around the trucks. With them, I had to go back to the treadmill, the weights – the dreaded gym. It’s at the firehouse. So…I did what I had to do…I mentioned that they went there – and I left them at the door – skating off and coming back to get them when we were both done. That’s why you won’t find any scenes in this book written inside that gym. I apologize ahead of time…

We just passed tax time and my preparer once told me, everything in my life is deductible because it all goes into my books. She reads my books. And while I don’t deduct even close to ‘everything’, her statement stuck with me because she’s right. My life goes into my books.

"All three of the main characters here–Faye, Reese, and Elliott, Faye’s eight-year-old son–have been through so much before the story even begins. Watching them deal with the implications of the past, not to mention the new tension and drama that their present brings them, makes for a truly engrossing read. I literally couldn’t put this one down until I’d seen them get to their HEA!"

"This story just breaks my heart! And I wanted a happily ever after for all of them! If you like real stories of families with abuse issues and children of those abused, shelters, fires, firemen, great counselors, second chances then this might be for you!"

In The Fireman’s Son, in a particularly difficult scene, Reese can’t take Faye inside. He has to head out to his own little paradise in his backyard. His piece of nature includes the beach and the ocean, but the physical effects to him are the same. It could be that as the author of the book, I took him out there because it was where I’d need to be. One could be a practical thinker and insist that that was the case. One might even be right. I don’t believe it, though. I think that nature is a natural healer, purposely there for all of us to draw upon.

"Overall, Ms. Quinn tackles a hard subject and hits it head on. She doesn’t sugarcoat it with her characters but let’s her characters speak for themselves. This series is fast becoming one of my all time favorites. Her stories in this series just keep getting better and better. I can’t wait to see in future books how Elliot is doing and how the Lemonade Stand is and the characters that surround it. Bravo, Ms. Quinn. You did it again."

Don't forget to enter the giveaways below, if you haven't already...

Her Secret Life
(Where Secrets Are Safe #11)

by Tara Taylor Quinn

Adult Contemporary Romance

Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 384 pages

May 1st 2017 by Harlequin Superromance

Secrets are burning out of control

After she broke his heart in college, Faye Walker is the last person fire chief Reese Bristow ever expected to see again, especially as his new EMT. But that's not Reese's only surprise. Faye has an eight-year-old son, Elliott, whose counseling at The Lemonade Stand shelter is her first priority.

It's nearly impossible to accept that she had a child with another man—and married that man—right after their breakup. Trusting Faye won't be easy. Especially when she reveals a secret about the boy that might tear them apart for good.

The author of more than 70 original novels, in twenty languages, Tara Taylor Quinn is a USA Today bestseller with over six million copies sold. A 2015 RITA finalist Tara appears frequently on bestseller lists, including #1 placement on Amazon lists, and multiple showings on the Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller list. She has appeared on national and local TV across the country, including CBS Sunday Morning.

Tara is a supporter of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you or someone you know might be a victim of domestic violence in the United States, please contact 1-800-799-7233.

As Tara supports speaking out against domestic violence and supporting those who have been abused, both through her books and in her community, she would love for you to join her in donating items to a shelter in your area. Find out more here.

Monday, May 15, 2017

Wrong for You, by Jenny Proctor
2017, 256p, LDS Contemporary Romance
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not affect my review in any way

Lane Bishop is a hardworking, intelligent, young woman. With her recent move to Chapel Hill, she is determined to leave behind the drama and effort of keeping up with the dating scene. Even so, Lane somehow manages to get dragged out by a gaggle of girls to go watch boys play soccer. Just watching is not Lane’s forte, so she joins in the fun and leads her team to victory.

Rather than feeling intimidated by the vivacious beauty on the opposing team, Jamie Hamilton is intrigued. Risking his “untouchable” dating status, he decides to pursue Lane—with a little help from his older brother Simon. With Simon’s behind-the- scenes assistance, Jamie proves irresistible, even to a disillusioned dater like Lane. But as she gets to know both brothers, Lane can’t help but wonder—beneath the grand gestures and romantic words, is she falling for the wrong guy?

Lane Bishop has recently moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She meets the Hamilton brothers when she's taken to a soccer game and decides she wants to join. She quickly gets the attention of Jamie, the "untouchable" one, with her competitive side. He's the perfect guy. Until she also gets to know his older brother, Simon, the safe one who's in a long-distance relationship. Who will she choose in the end?Lane is an easy character to like--she has a lot of spunk and isn't afraid to go after what she wants. Her job also sounded like a lot of fun--she was in charge of special events at a local inn. She was thrown into a tough situation at the beginning and was able to figure things out. Jamie is super competitive and lives and breathes soccer. There are times that Lane questions her feelings for him, but then he shows her his sensitive side and she's hooked again. She gets to know Simon as he helps her with a situation at the inn. She notices things about him that are appealing but realizes she needs to stop thinking about him since he's Simon's brother and he is in a long-distance relationship, anyway. Her relationships with both brothers became complicated as time went on and things were happening that she wasn't aware of. There's some mild drama as she works things out. I thought the author did a great job of exploring those relationships without the situation getting too messy. I love that this was set in North Carolina. I lived in Raleigh for 11 years when I was growing up and have fond memories. I'm a Duke fan, and Simon was a Duke graduate, and I freely admit that that helped sway me over to his camp. I like that the author touched on the Duke/UNC rivalry but it wasn't a huge part of the story.In the end, I loved this book!! It was fun to read and hard to put down once I started. There are some great secondary characters which add to the story. This is the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last! There are more Hamilton brothers, and I'm hoping there will be more about them in the future...

Jenny Proctor was born in the mountains of Western North Carolina, a place she still resides and considers the loveliest on earth. She hikes to spend time with her family, runs because her love for food requires it, and writes because it keeps her calm in an otherwise crazy world. She believes that life in the south has a certain flair to it--and works to capture that flair in her novels.

CIA case officer Bai Hsu is stationed in San Diego, where his job is to safeguard the valuable emotional collateral of some of the world's most powerful people (read: their kids). Just when he thinks he's landed the easiest assignment of all time, an operative starts targeting the school and it's up to Bai to figure out who the operative is after, and why. This fast-paced story will take you from the picturesque beaches of San Diego to a deadly blizzard in Pyongyang and make Bai question everything he thought he knew about working in the field, and about himself.

Praise for Bai Tide

“Bai Tide is a classic spy tale with blisteringly original characters set against the up-tempo backdrop of North Korean-American relations. Erika Mitchell turns the Asian theater of operations into her personal literary playground for fashioning a no-holds-barred thriller that reads like a post-modern combination of Frederick Forsyth and John Le Carre with just enough Len Deighton sprinkled in for good measure. A thinking man’s, or woman’s, page turner that revs in the red from artful beginning to crafty climax.” –Jon Land, USA Today bestselling author of Strong Darkness

“High octane action combined with the slow burn of great, unforgettable characters. The kind of book that demands to be read in a single long burst. Almost impossible to put down. This one will be on your mind long after you’ve finished it.” –Ted Kosmatka, 2010 Asimov’s Readers’ Choice Award-winning author of Prophet of Bones.

“Recommended for those who enjoy a fast-paced thriller, and especially for anyone who read and enjoyed Blood Money. Mitchell does a wonderful job of balancing the humanity of the story with exactly the right pacing to keep the reader’s interest.” —Dwell in Possibility

Bai Tsu is a CIA case officer currently working as a gym teacher at a girls' prep school in San Diego. Someone is targeting one of the girls and it's his job to figure out who and why. This book started out fast and didn't let up! I enjoyed getting to know Bai Tsu. He's smart, tough and has a great sense of humor. He was under the impression that his current assignment would be easy, so of course, it turned out to be complex. There were some secondary characters that we met who played a pivotal part in the story and there were times that I wasn't sure who to trust. This was a fun read from beginning to end! There's lots of action and humor. There were also some twists and turns which kept it interesting. Part of it takes place in North Korea, where Bai was tested both physically and mentally. If you enjoy thrillers, this is a book and series you will want to read!

The next book in the series, Take the Bai Road, is coming out July 3rd!

My Rating=5 Stars
Source: I received a complimentary copy via TLC Book Tours, which did not affect my review in any way

Purchase Links

Erika Mitchell is the author of Blood Money, a standalone novel about one accountant’s efforts to take down a terrorism financier, and Bai Tide, the first book in her Bai Hsu series. Erika uses her lifelong passion for espionage to infuse her stories with the fun and intrigue of the James Bond movies she grew up watching, and sets those stories in ripped-from-the-headlines locations around the globe. When she’s not writing, she’s raising two tiny spies-in-training with her husband in Seattle, WA.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Shatter, by Nikki Trionfo
2017, 249p, YA Mystery/Suspense
My Rating=4 Stars
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not affect my review in any way

It never occurred to us that there could be people in the orchard. Dangerous people.

When a mysterious explosion kills her sister, Salem becomes convinced the death was no accident—it was a conspiracy. But no one else at her high school believes her, and all she has so far are theories and clues. With Carrie’s killers still out there, Salem’s not sure who she can trust. If she can’t prove she’s right before it’s too late, the conspiracy might take another life—hers.

“Straddling the line between a coming of age heartbreak, and a thriller murder mystery—Trionfo crafts a stunning debut novel that’ll keep you turning pages till the end.”
Jolene Perry, author of All the Forever Things

“Trionfo dazzles the reader with pitch-perfect characterization and a gripping portrayal of impending doom.”
Kathleen Dougherty, author of Moth to the Flame

Salem's sister, Carrie, dies in an explosion and Salem is the only one that doesn't believe it was an accident. As she adjusts to life without her sister, she starts questioning who and what her sister was involved with towards the end of her life so she can find some answers.I loved how the mystery unfolded in this book! There were flashbacks to fill in the gaps of what was happening in the present. There were quite a few characters but they were introduced in a way that made it easy to remember who they were. There were plenty of suspects and I wasn't able to figure out the killer until the reveal. There is some romance but the story mostly focused on Salem and her determination to find out what happened to Carrie.This was a great blend of mystery and suspense! There were gang members that made me nervous and others that I wanted to like and hoped they would turn out okay. There was quite a bit going on and I liked how it all came together in the end. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys YA mystery/suspense!

ExcerptThe class is dead silent. Mr. White’s lips tighten. He swallows. There’s something dangerous about the new guy. The teacher leans over AddyDay’s desk and spins her packet so he can read the list of partnerships. “Fine. We’ll break up the threesome. You’ll pair with . . . Salem Jefferson.”At the sound of my name, I turn to look at my new partner.The guy near the door is tall. He has the kind of incredible good looks that invite stares, but that’s not the only reason he’s getting them now. The cursive lettering of a tattoo rises from the opening of the guy’s worn flannel shirt. Two gold chains hang from his brown neck. A guy accessorized in gang paraphernalia, not caked with it. His only completely visible marking is an upside down V inked onto his right cheekbone, black and distinct. The tattoo calls my attention for some reason, even though I’m sure I’ve never seen a symbol like that before. An upside down V . . . it seems so familiar.His expressionless, dark eyes dart to meet my gaze from under a stiff, backward-facing ball cap. My classmates watch him stare at me. “Salem Jefferson,” he says slowly, putting a slight emphasis on my last name. He waits for my response. I realize he knows exactly who Salem Jefferson is. Exactly who I am. I’m Carrie’s sister.Terrified, I whirl back around to face forward. Gang members targeted Carrie, made her frightened. Was he one of them? The skin between my shoulder blades tightens. Why were gang guys after Carrie?

A committed party-girl, Nikki serves as the social coordinator of LDStorymakers Conference and chair of Storymakers Tribe. Other notable stuff includes an honorable mention in Writers of the Future and a spot in Utah Horror Writer's shorty-story anthology. This all sounds really serious, but if you run into her, she gets down. Truly.